Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 – “If the clouds are full, they empty out rain upon the earth.  Whether a tree falls to south or north, the tree lies wherever it falls.  ⁴ Whoever keeps watching the wind will not sow and whoever gazes at the clouds will not reap.” TLV

John 19:19-22 – “Pilate also wrote a sign and put it on the execution stake. It was written, “YESHUA HA-NATZRATI, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” ²⁰ Many Judeans read this sign, because the place where Yeshua was executed was near the city; it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. ²¹ The ruling kohanim of the Judeans were saying to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’”

²² “What I have written, I have written,” Pilate answered.” TLV

Each of us is writing a book of our life!  Some books are written by people who have no control over or first-hand knowledge of what is taking or has taken place.  Others are written by people very much involved such as in an autobiography. 

Our life is a book, and we are the authors, well we are the writers and hopefully, we allow God to be the author.  Each day a new page or pages, even chapters are inserted into that book.  There is only one drawback, we cannot erase the pages or events. We cannot, in our own strength change the outcome.  The only eraser is “The Blood that Stained the Old Rugged Cross.”  We are writing our book of life and the outcome depends upon our relationship with Christ Jesus our LORD!

I want to consider three types of Christians in this devotional message.  I am trying to be honest and realistic in my approach and hopefully, it will benefit not hinder.  I pray that I will not be so abrasive that I lose my readership and that these words will resonate in the hearts and produce the desired fruit.

THERE IS THE WIND WATCHER CHRISTIAN…

This is the person that lives based on the storms of life produced by the enemy of our souls, the devil.  This person is always looking for that perfect day to do anything.  Any obstacle, opposition, or resistance keeps him at home.  The slightest breeze of adversity prevents this person from venturing out into the sea of life to fulfill the purposes or assignments God has issued for his life.

This person sees two Gods and elevates the devil to equal status with the Almighty Creator of all things.  They forget that the devil is also a created being not Omniscient, Omnipotent, nor Omnipresent.  That attribute belongs only to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This person has not grasped the revelation and truth that the devil was defeated by Jesus on the Cross.

This person allows public opinion to be their barometer.  They seek acceptance and the approval of men rather than God.  They esteem social acceptance as their criterion for action.  They are always inconsistent, up, and down depending on the winds of life.

If you are or have been a wind watcher, I pray that you will run to the Father in repentance and allow the Holy Spirit to inscribe upon your heart the truth that God is faithful and no matter the adversity HE IS!  If you want to change the ending of your biography you need to allow Jesus to have control of your life and banish fear from your heart.

I want to address this further but will pause here until the next time.  May the rich and bountiful blessing of the LORD be yours today and every day!

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” TLV

Last time we took the first step in discovering the key to winning victory over anxiety and worry.  Step one was “Trust in the LORD will All Our Heart.”  Now I would like for us to take more steps toward the ultimate goal of ‘Deliverance from Anxiety.’

LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING…

Let me ask, “What person has the ability or intelligence to guide their own life successfully without God’s help?”  If you are an unbeliever, then you may take umbrage at that statement. However, I believe it is the truth and verified in both the Bible and life experiences.

In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read God’s answer, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”  It is a declaration of Adonai.  ⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” TLV Also in Proverbs 14:12 we are warned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” TLV Additionally, we find the powerful revelation in Jeremiah 17:5-7 – “Thus says Adonai: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man and depends on flesh as his arm, and whose heart turns from Adonai.  ⁶ For he will be like a bush in the desert.    He cannot see goodness when it comes but will dwell in parched places in the wilderness—a salt land where no one lives.   ⁷ Blessed is the one who trusts in Adonai, whose confidence is in Adonai.”  TLV

If you continue reading in Jeremiah, you find that that person will be like a tree planted by the waters with its taproots in the river of life not fearing what may come and will be productive regardless of what is happening around him or her.  THAT IS POWERFUL!

My challenge or question is, “Why depend on our ability when we have the Promise and Provision of God’s ability?”  He is ready and willing to help, lead, guide, protect, and defend.  Trust Him!

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS…

Paul told his son in the faith, Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 to be an example of the believer.  In Psalms 37:23 we are told that “the steps of a good man or ordered of the LORD.”  Then in Isaiah 30:21, we hear that incredible promise, “Your ears will hear a word behind you saying: ‘This is the way, walk in it.  When you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left.”  THAT IS INCREDIBLE!

God has promised to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).  He has promised to be with us always. (Hebrews 13:5).  He has promised to protect us. (Exodus 19:4; Psalm 23:1, Psalm 91, Psalm 100:3, and many more.)  And the capstone of His Promises is that He is coming back for us (John 14).  We are instructed to disallow a troubled heart of fear and worry to dwell in us.  We have His great and precious promises backed up by His person.  Therefore, as a believer, we have no reason to worry.  If God is in control, what could we possibly have to fear?

Worry is not a product of faith or salvation it is an attack by the enemy attempting to shipwreck our faith and ruin our lives.  Worry is rooted in confusion and fear with the devil being the author of that fear and confusion.  God is not the author of confusion but peace and confidence.

Remember this simple truth – God is Not Worried!  He knows the end from the beginning, and nothing is impossible with Him.  He is well able to handle whatever we face, so Why Worry?  Who is the LORD?  Is His arm shortened that He cannot save, heal, deliver, protect, and provide?  As the old song says, “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”

God bless you as you walk in His Peace on this day and every day!

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” TLV

Anxiety, worry, or fretting is a problem!  It is a problem that all have had or will have at some point in their life.  I am extremely grateful to the LORD for His wonderful grace and goodness to me.  This passage has a deeply personal meaning to me for it was the key passage that brought me to salvation.  It was meaningful then and throughout my years has been a vehicle through which God has revealed His Truth and Love powerfully repeatedly.  It has been a key in helping me be free of anxiety and live in peace.

The human mind has an element in it that requires divine deliverance or help to rid itself of before we can walk in perfect peace in all things.  That element is anxiety or worry!  I have known what I call chronic worriers.  They have a misplaced trust and misapplied confidence or lack thereof.  Until this element is overcome it deals almost constant misery to the person tormented by it.  It has been one of the enemies’ most effective tools to hinder the believer in his or her faith and development.

The writers of the Book of Proverbs frequently give keys to victory over worry.  That makes it a powerful book for study. 

• WORRY – – Can cause a person to become sick physically, depressed mentally, and hinders them from rising to the place of victory and power that God would have them enjoy in life spiritually.

• WORRY – – Hinders prayer by placing trust in the arm of flesh more than in the Omnipotent Creator of all things.  It trusts what it can see rather than what it cannot see.

• WORRY – – Is a deterrent to faith.  It loses hope before the victory arrives because it dwells in the realm of the natural disregarding the supernatural. Let me state something that we know but need to be reminded of – You were not born worried.

• WORRY – – Is often learned.  Parents who are worriers teach their children by example to worry and fret.  Parents who are chronic worriers demonstrate a lack of confidence in the faithfulness of God.

• WORRY – – Can be overcome!  It is overcome by the Word of God and Trust in the God of that Word. 

There are two types of things we should not worry about – Those we cannot control and those we can.  The writer of this Proverb reveals that spiritual victory is ours if we follow the direction offered.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART…

That is 100%, complete and total Trust!  It is to place our lives, the entirety of it, all that we have, and all that we do in His hands.  It is to live a life of obedient expectancy.  We need to remind ourselves that we had to trust God for our Salvation.  We must develop confidence in God’s faithfulness and His ability to keep His Word.  We are to Trust in Everything!  We are to trust God in times of grief, joy, tears, storms, valleys, mountains, and sunshine.  Trust Always!

We are to trust God when the bills are paid and when they are not.  It is easy to declare that we are trusting God when everything is in place and no storms on the horizon.  We are to trust God when we are sick and when we are well.  We are to trust Him in times of prosperity and times of lack.  We are to trust Him when we are bubbling over spiritually and emotionally and when we are in a season of drought.

It is putting complete confidence in God.   We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:7 to “cast all our worries on Him, for He cares for you.” Also in Isaiah 26:3, we are informed that God “keeps in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on You.”  It is not always easy to rest in God, but it is a place He has provided for us if we will commit our entire lives to Him and relax in His Person, Power, Provision, and Promise. 

I want to take this a step further and will do so in the next devotional.  Until then, I pray that the Peace of God that passes all understanding be yours.  Have a Great Day!

Psalm 119:11 –” I have treasured Your word in my heart, so I might not sin against You.”  TLV

In the last devotional we considered that the Word of God was the Best Treasure.  Today, I want us to move further in our consideration of the Hidden Treasure.

• THE BEST PLACE – Hidden in the Heart…

From the heart, the issues of life spring forth.  Proverbs 4:23 declares, “Guard your heart diligently, for from it flow the springs of life.”  TLV.  The heart is the seat of life both physically and spiritually.  The heart is the controller of health both physically and spiritually.  They are not the same but the heart in the natural and the heart in the spiritual produce life.

The heart spiritually determines character.  Proverbs 23:7 declares that as we think within ourselves so are we.  The heart is the source of faith spiritually.  Romans 10:10 instructs that it is with the heart we believe.

Therefore, it is important that we inscribe or hide the Word of God in our hearts.  Doing so will bring forth a godly life.  It will build a godly character and increase faith.  It enables us to grow to maturity in Christ.

Consider with me that we have seen the Treasure and viewed the Place it is to be stored and now we move to the purpose of this treasure.

• THE BEST PURPOSE – That We Might Not Sin Against God…

The question Psalm 119:9 is germane to this discussion.  The question asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to Your word.” In verses 59-60 we find the powerful truth, “When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hast and do not delay to keep Your commandments.”  ESV

Unblemished relationships are rooted in the Word of God and our obedience to it.  1 John 3:3 declares, “And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.”  ESV.  Jesus is coming for a Church, a Body, a Bride that is without spot or blemish. (Ephesians 5:27).

We are called to live Holy in accordance with God’s Word and Will.  We are called to enjoy communion with Jesus through godly living.  We are strengthened in the LORD and enjoy the Power of His Might in our lives as we walk in obedience to the Word and Hide it in our Hearts!

We all have some treasure or treasures in our hearts.  The question is not do we have treasures, but where does that treasure, or those treasures fit into the scheme of things in our lives in Christ?  The Word of God was written to give direction for Victorious Living in the here and now. 

Maybe we need a refreshing in the Word of God.  May we need to pray for an increased appetite for the Word of God.  I have discovered that what we partake of we develop an appetite for that.

Remember that through the Word of God and empowered by the Spirit of God we move into Victory from Defeat, Health from Sickness especially spiritually, Peace from Turmoil and Confusion.  It is through the Word of God that we have access to the Power of God as the Holy Spirit anoints that Word in us.  If the Bible is our handbook or roadmap for life, we need to value it as our most prized treasure.

God bless you as you discover God’s Hidden Treasures in His Word and walk victoriously in this Life.  Have a Great Day!

Psalm 119:11 –” I have treasured Your word in my heart, so I might not sin against You.”  TLV

In this Psalm, we catch a glimpse of the heart of the human instrument writing these verses.  He sees a hidden treasure in a most precious place.  That brings to mind the importance of the Word of God.  It brings to the fore the importance of the Word being hidden in our hearts.

The apostle Paul reminds us that this is the gospel (a precious treasure).  If it is hidden at all it is hidden to the lost.  Why?  Because they are carnally minded, and comprehension of Spiritual Truths cannot come to the carnal mind – they are spiritual.

God places an extremely high value and priority on His Word.  It is truly a treasure available to all who will partake of it.  Matthew 4:4 tells us that we do not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from God.  In 2 Timothy 3:16, we discover that all Scripture is given by the Inspiration of God and has value.  Here in this Psalm, we see that this treasure is not just a treasure but is far more.

• THE BEST TREASURE – The Word of God.

Although it has not always existed in written form and been canonized into what we call the Bible it is eternally existent.  It is the Word of God!  It is not just any word, but “Thy Word O LORD!”  It is unlike any other word; it lives and makes alive!

The Bible is the Book of the Ages.  It has endured the test of time and the scrutiny of critics and nay-sayers.  It endures forever as Psalm 119:89 informs us.  Isaiah 40:8 reminds us that “the grass may wither, the flower may fade, but the Word of our GOD will stand forever.”  Matthew 24:25 declares that although heaven and earth may pass away the Word of God will never pass away.

It has been battered, bruised, banned, burned, scorned, and rejected yet it still stands today and is as strong and viable as it was in the beginning. 

The Bible is Food for the Soul.  (Deuteronomy 8:3).  The Word of God provides milk for babies and meat for the strong and mature.  It provides food for every soul regardless of where they are on the journey to maturity in Christ.  All one has to do is come to God’s table and dine.

The Bible is Divinely Inspired.  (2 Timothy 3:16).  It authenticates the divinity of Jesus and gives hope to the human heart.  It is also Light Giving.  We read in Psalm 19:8-9, “The Torah of Adonai is perfect, restoring the soul.  The testimony of Adonai is trustworthy, making the simple wise.  ⁹ The precepts of Adonai are right, giving joy to the heart.  The mitzvot of Adonai are pure, giving light to the eyes.”  TLV 

In Psalms 119:105 we find that God’s Word is a lamp and a light to guide us.  There is guidance, instruction, help, encouragement, and every need of life addressed in that Word.  It is loaded with benefits found nowhere else.  In it, we learn of love, forgiveness, redemption, mercy, grace, revival, renewal, and restoration.  In the word of God, we discover life.

The Word of God is Mighty, and the word translated there means Powerful.  In Jeremiah 5:14 we discover it is a devouring flame.  In Jeremiah 23:29 we find it is a crushing hammer.  In Ezekiel 37:7 we learn it is a life-giving force.  In Romans 1:16 we are informed it has saving power.  In Ephesians 6:17 we learn it is a defensive weapon and in Hebrews 4:12 we realize it is a probing instrument revealing the heart.  The Word of God is Priceless.  It is a Treasure hidden in our hearts and designed to lead us to fullness in life.

I am going to pause there and pick this up in the next devotional.  Until then I pray the blessings of God upon you and that you will have a fantastic day walking in the Light of His Love!

Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  TLV

Everybody or almost everybody wants to live forever and to have more than enough tomorrows to take care of all the things we did not do or do not want to do today.  We want to live as though there is no need to be concerned because there is plenty of time to do all that we want to do tomorrow or later.  There are many promises of God found in the Word of God that are infrequently claimed by believers.

In verse ten we find the thought of our days is 70-80 years.  The Ten Commandments inform us that if we honor our parents the promise is to enjoy length of days on this earth.  Therefore, eighty years is not etched in stone, some live longer and some live less.  However, if we take eighty as our benchmark that would be sixteen five-year segments.  I pray that all of us live longer than eighty but let us use that for our discussion.

That would mean that we have sixteen five-year periods to do all that we want to do in life.  The question then is, how many have you used up, and how many are left in that equation?  For me, I would be in the last installment, and I believe that I will live longer than that, but I carefully consider what I want to do I need to do and no longer procrastinate. 

Time is either our greatest asset or enemy in life.  The apostle Paul instructs us to Redeem the Time because the days are evil.  Considering the condition of our world and the need to spread the Good News of the Gospel we must work while it is yet day for the night comes when we can no longer work. 

Time is a commodity that we need to learn to effectively use if we hope to be of value to the Kingdom, our families, and our world.  How much time do we waste?  In order to tap into the resources, ability, and power we have inherent in us, three things must transpire.

• WE MUST PERCEIVE…

Perceive what?  We must perceive Who we are and Whose we are.  In Genesis 1:26 we are informed that we are created in the Image of God.  In John 1:12 we are told that we are Sons and Daughters of God.  In Romans 8:17 we discover that we are Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus.  In Galatians 3:29 we realize that we are heirs according to the Promise.  In Deuteronomy 28 we discover that Abraham’s Blessings belong to the Children of God and in Hebrews 8:6 we are told that we have a Better Covenant established upon Better Promises. 

So, Who are you?  You are all that and more!  The question then would be where are you on the path of becoming and where are you going defined by your course in life?

• WE MUST PREPARE…

Preparation always precedes blessing and, in a journey, when there is no preparation there will be no reaching the desired destination.  You have to prepare for your journey.  It is vital that we know the Promises of God and the Provisions of God’s Word and Spirit.  In that, it is vital that we know our Inheritance.  The preparation is mental, physical, and spiritual.  Are you preparing for your journey in this life and the next life?

• WE MUST PROCEED…

Proceed on the planned path.  Action is required.  We must discover our potential by seeing the possibility that is in us through Trusting God.  Therefore, it is time that we begin to Go and Do what Jesus did.

I have people tell me, I cannot be a Moses, Elijah, Paul, John, Peter, Daniel, David, etc.?  I always ask Why Not?  Christ in us is the Hope of Glory and if He is living His life in and through us, and He is eternally the same, then Why Not?

I have some tell me, I cannot be an Overcomer the trials, tests, and temptations are too many and difficult.  I always ask Why Not?  God says you are more than a conqueror through Jesus, so Why Can’t You Be What He Says You Are?

I have some who insist that miracles are a thing of the past or they cannot have miracles in their life.  I always as Why Not?  You are a miracle and if Jesus is eternally the same and the Word of God is infallible, then Why Not and Why Not Now?

I ask that you stop and look at your life.  Where are you right now?  Where have you come from?  Where are you going?  So, are you allowing it to waste away with no significant accomplishment?  Who are you?  I suggest that you reread what I have listed as who God says you are.  Where are you going?  You are pursuing the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and in that, you have to answer where you want to go.  I suggest that you determine to let God help you get there.

Now is the time to turn it all around and turn your life over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and determine that you will make every day you have left count for God.  You do not have to do great exploits; you only have to do what God sets before you. 

I conclude by asking, “Who are you?”  How much time do you have left?  Obviously, you cannot answer that definitively regarding time left, but now is the time to begin pursuing your dreams in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to make every moment count.  Redeem the time and make the most of every moment, it could be your last.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day He has provided.  Rejoice!

Psalm 42:1 – “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”  ESV

Yesterday we looked at the first condition required to receive the fullness of the Spirit of God and have a deeper intimacy with God.  That was – We Must Be Thirsty.  Today I want us to move on to further consideration of the requirements or conditions.

• Condition Number Two – We Must Come to Jesus.

That means a total and complete surrender of our lives to Him and a commitment to do the will of God as He provides the light and understanding of what that will is.  It is Total Surrender to Jesus!

Matthew 11:28-30 – “²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1 John 1:7 – “⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

If we want to have our spiritual thirst quenched or satisfied, we must allow God to have full control of our lives, our wills, our emotions, and our bodies.  He must be LORD of all, and we must be yielded vessels.

• Condition Number Three – We Must Drink.

That means a whole-hearted reception into our lives the gifts, fruits, and operation of the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 12:4-13).  We read of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians.

Galatians 5:22-23 – “²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Revelation 22:17 – “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Unless we are thirsty enough and willing to drink, we will remain thirsty and that fullness will be a theoretical idea, not a practical reality.  We can be full of God!

• Condition Number Four – We Must Believe Jesus and the Bible.

That means to believe and obey in totality the fullness and entirety of the Gospel.  Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 that we are to teach the new converts to become disciples of Him obeying His commandments.  In Mark 16:15-20 He taught that we are to go to the world and proclaim the Good News.  Those that believe and are baptized are saved but those who do not believe are lost.  He then gives a list of protections and manifestations we can expect.  He then promises to be with us, work with us, and confirm His words with signs and wonders.

John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

In Acts 1 He commanded them that they should not depart Jerusalem until they received the Promise of the Father.  That Promise was the outpouring of the Holy Spirt and Power.  They would then be empowered to take the Good News to their homes and the world.  Then in Acts 5:32, the disciples testified that they were His witnesses.

If we want more of God, we can have more of God.  If we want the energy and power of the Holy Spirit, we can have that energy and power.  The solution is simple not necessarily easy.  We must become thirsty.  We must come to Jesus.  We must drink from the river.  We must Believe and Obey.

The question is, are you thirsty, and then how thirsty are you?  God is waiting to supply and satisfy. 

God bless you as you walk in your new fullness and intimacy with Him!

Psalm 42:1 – “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”  ESV

This is the daily cry of my heart.  A cry I am sensing all over this land.  It is a cry and a deep desire of many believers to have a deeper relationship with God and more of God.  There is a longing for a deeper intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit.  Unfortunately, sometimes it is a cry that has no commitment.  It is a superficial expression of a desire, but for those who have that deep longing, it can be a reality.

Having more of God and being closer to God is not something that only the select of the elect can attain.  It is available to every Child of God.  God wants everybody to come to the river and drink.  Everyone can have as much of God and His Spirit as they desire.  There are no limitations.  That River will Never Run Dry!

Isaiah 55:1 – “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the water, and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat.  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!”

Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

There is a river flowing from the Throne and Heart of God and it is a never-ending river.  It will never run dry.  It is a river with a plenteous supply.  A river that completely satisfies the longing soul.  In the natural, a river at flood stage purifies that river.  It sweeps away the debris that has collected and is a sort of purification.  When the river of God is a flood in our hearts we are purified, and all the debris of worldliness is swept away!

The bottom line, spiritually is, “Our appetites determine our spiritual condition.”  We eat and drink what we want because we want it.  If we desire something bad enough, we will struggle to obtain it, sacrifice to achieve it, and go to great lengths to apprehend it.  It is exactly the same in the things of God.  If we want more of God, we will press in until we have more of God.  The hesitancy is not on God’s side of the equation but ours.  If we become hungry and thirsty, we will be satisfied.

There are some conditions or requirements to receiving the Spirit and Power of the LORD in our lives to the full.  Remember when Jesus stood at the feast and cried out the words of John 7:37-39?  He said, “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” ³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

• Condition Number One – We Must Be Thirsty.

That means to have an ardent, eager, famishing, keen, and all-consuming craving, and passion of the soul for a complete union with God and with the fullness of His Holy Spirit.

Psalm 42:2 – “My soul thirst for God, for the Living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”

Psalm 63:1 – “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs of you in a dry thirsty land where no water is.”

Psalm 143:6 – “I stretch forth my hands unto You; my soul thirsts after you, as in a thirsty land.”

Isaiah 41:17 – “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.  I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”

Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon your seed and My blessings upon your offspring.”

The Bible makes it clear that if we will, seek we will find.  If we are thirsty, really thirsty, He will give us the refreshing water of life to drink.  Elisha had that thirst in 2 Kings 2.  He followed Elijah to Gilgal, then to Bethel, then to the Jordan.  He refused to be denied or to accept delay.  He pressed into a Double Portion Anointing.  The prophet Joel declared that God would pour out His Spirit upon “All Flesh.”  That means you and me if we will come to the water to drink.

I want to press into this more but will pause here until the next devotional.

Have a wonderful day in the refreshing of the LORD!

Matthew 28:1-8 – “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” NKJV

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our Hope is vain, and our faith is based on a corpse and is a fraud.  The Pharisees attempted to spin the spin that the disciples had stolen His body to perpetuate what they deemed a myth.  They were blind leaders of the blind and could not see the signs, truths, or hear the Messianic Message that Jesus brought to them. 

Throughout the centuries since that event early in the first century the atheist, agnostics, skeptics, doubters, and revilers have sought to perpetuate the lie of the Sanhedrin that Jesus did not rise from the dead and that the resurrection is a fabrication.  If they are right, then our Hope is destroyed and there is no eternal future for us and death is final, making this life all that matters.  That is a recipe for the vilest exhibitions of lasciviousness and corruption one could imagine.  That would cast off all restraint and everyone would truly be a law unto themselves making society truly the survival of the fittest or most devious.

But Jesus did Rise from the Dead and is now Ascended to the Right Hand of the Throne of God!  He is there making intercession for us just as the Scriptures have declared!  He has gone to prepare a place for us and coming back for us so that where He is we can be Forever! 

Why am I confident that He is Risen?  I did not see Him rise from the dead, for that was two-thousand years ago.  The disciples who saw Him were so filled with delusion they hallucinated and dreamed what they hoped was reality?  How about the five hundred who saw Him before His ascension, was that Mass Hallucination?  How about the numerous others who saw Him, talked to Him, witnessed Him being alive, was that strong delusion and mind-control by His followers? 

Believing that would take an incredible amount of faith in coincidence and the power of suggestion on a mass scale.  It would be akin to believing that books like “Pilgrim’s Progress” were the result of a person standing in a railroad car full of printer’s type with a shovel and hurling shovel after shovel full of type over the side and each letter aligning itself into that manuscript. 

I believe in the Resurrection of Jesus because of the biblical report and other historic writings of that and subsequent eras.  But an even larger reason that I Believe is that I have received Him into my heart by the new birth. 

I shall never forget that faithful night in my sister’s home in Palestine, Texas on a Saturday night after midnight.  I had been fishing and, amazingly, I was sober.  My normal pattern would have been to become inebriated.  God chose that moment in time when I was completely sober to deal with my condition. 

There were some people from Westside Assembly of God where Henry Vincent was the pastor who had been witnessing to me. They prayed for me and loved me despite my rudeness and meanness.  When I came in that night, there was a note from my sister for me to read Proverbs 3:5-6.  One of the families had sent that message to me. 

I cannot explain why I even bothered, for that was not the norm for me, at that time.  I had no Bible, so I searched for a Bible in my sister’s house and found one.  I took it to the kitchen table and opened the Bible searching for Proverbs.  It was as I read the words of that passage that I realized I had been trusting myself and my understanding.  I had become convinced that I was a sinner and going to hell and nothing could be done about it. 

As I read those words a light came on inside my heart and head and I asked God to forgive me, and He did!  I was changed and even without telling others what had happened people knew there was a change.  I was Born Again!  So, do I believe in the Resurrection?  My Transformation allows me to declare emphatically YES, I BELIEVE!

HE IS RISEN!  Today we celebrate His Life and from the Cross, we realize that we too, can enter into His Life.  He paid the debt we could never pay, and His Resurrection signifies the deal is sealed.  IT IS FINISHED!  Nothing we can do will transform us but what He has done does.  It is not by works but by Grace that we are Saved.  He now calls, “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”  He calls, “Come unto me and I will in no way cast you out or refuse you.”  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Door to Salvation, and HE IS ALIVE!

God, bless you as you celebrate HIS LIFE and the LIFE, He has brought to each of us!   HAPPY RESURRECTION CELEBRATION!  HE IS RISEN!  HE IS ALIVE!  HALLELUJAH!

Psalm 34

Last time we considered the need to Focus on God’s Person.  Today I want us to move to the next consideration.

• We Must Focus On God’s Protection.

In verse seven we find, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them.”   The word encamps is a word used to describe an abode or a siege.  The word delivers means to equip for a fight and strengthen. 

Remember the encounter with Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 16:14-18 where the prophet told his servant, “there are more with us than with them.”  The hills were filled with powerful angelic hosts to protect the prophet and his servant.  In 2 Chronicles 16:9, we discover, “…the eyes of the LORD run to and fro through the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are wholly His.”  The image is that God is waiting and looking for a chance to bless His followers.

Psalm 125:2 – “As the mountains are around Jerusalem, so ADONAI is all around His people both now and forever.”

The blood covering cannot be penetrated from the outside.  The devil cannot cross the bloodline and come in.  We have to go outside where he is.  That is a place we should never allow ourselves to go.  In 1 Peter 5:8 we are encouraged and warned, “Stay alert!  Watch out!  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour.”  He cannot devour us as long as we are in Christ. 

Remember the childhood game of “May I”?  The answer to the devil is NO, You May Not!

• We Must Focus on God’s Provision.

In verse fifteen we discover, “The eyes of Adonai are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.”  Then in verse nineteen we are reminded, “Many are the distresses of the righteous, but ADONAI delivers him out of them all.” 

We must never forget that even the righteous suffer difficulties and God not only protects us but provides for us.  We find ourselves needing, purging to enter into His purity.  We find ourselves needing pruning which seems like chastening to keep us focused on Him.  We need to be refined and the dross of worldliness removed from us making us Holy as He is Holy. 

In Acts 14:22 we are warned that we will go through much tribulation as we enter into the Kingdom of God.  We must, like the captain of our salvation be made perfect and that is sometimes through suffering.  (Hebrews 2:10).  We must never forget that even though distresses come, “The LORD delivers out of them all.”

The words of James 1:2 need to be etched deeply in our hearts and minds, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.”  Why?  Read the rest of the passage and you discover that tested faith produces endurance, endurance’s perfect work is maturity and wholeness.  We are to rejoice in Victory and the Victor!

Therefore, it is needful that we remind ourselves that God is our source, not man.  We need to remember that God has committed Himself by His Word and Character to be our Protector.  We need to refresh in our minds that He has made Promises and Provisions for our spiritual maturity, our daily needs, and our every care. 

Jesus promised to never leave nor forsake us.  We belong to God.  We are the sheep of His pasture.  We are overcomers through Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit.  We have the authority and ability to resist the devil and as we walk in Christ and faith, the devil must obey. 

Remember that we have angels camping around us.  Jesus’ blood surrounds us.  God’s Spirit empowers us.  All of heaven supports us.  God’s resources are open and available to us.  So, who is going to stop you?  Certainly not a defeated fallen angel called the devil.  God is greater than any problem we have and truthfully the purpose of trials or the side benefit of trials is to make us strong. 

Hold the encouragement of verse four in your heart – “I sought ADONAI, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  Whatever you need God has.  He is I AM, the God who is more than enough!

God bless you as you embark on a course of victory this day!